zone5a east hartford, ct. first year growing watermelons and I'm pretty happy. Growing Jubilee and we've gotten 5 so far and am hoping to get a few more although i know there is not much time left. I know they are growable in CT as I used to raid the neighbors garden in the late 60s and those tasted even better than mine. I had not had any success until this year and I attribute that at least partly to following the suggestion about digging a post hole and filling it with compost. I also feel part of my success was as a result of covering the top of the soil with about 4 inches of shredded leaf compost which kept moisture in the soil even after 5 weeks of no rain here. I didn't want to water because of reading about the sugar concentration at the end of the growing cycle. At this point, about 1/3 of my plants are showing signs of fungus but the rest of the leaves are pretty green and healthy looking. Having read in an earlier post about first year always being the best as far as growing watermelons, I am wondering if I need to move my watermelon growing spot a bit and if so, how far from current one. The compost on top of the soil thing I got from watching the documentary film Back to Eden from 2011 and there is a part of me that hopes that the same spot with new compost on top might work, but I expect the smarter people will tell me that that is not going to work. Hoping to retire maybe to Delaware so I can extend the growing season in about 2 yrs. With a bit more land than 1/4 acre and a bit more warmth, maybe I can become successful in growing more varieties!!!

D...I do appreciate your help. You might want to check your sources in regard to your info: "Third, and most relevant to your info of "the plant stops growing...gets crinkled and dry looking...shows black spots" are not the symptoms of BW". Here is one of many quotes from university agricultural researchers. "Unfortunately, the disease doesn't take much time to progress, and soon the whole plant is wilted. After wilting, the entire plant, including fruit, leaves and vines, shrivels before dying." As I stated earlier...the black spots sure appear to be dead aphids (a separate issue). As you say...BW can be somewhat regional...and California is named specifically in many articles. As for NOT being common: Talking about cucurbits: "Unfortunately, these varied plants are prone to several pests and diseases. Bacterial wilt, a common cucurbit disease, is caused by a detrimental pest." I will take your advice however, and not ignore other possibilities.

Kay21- I don't know where Monrovia gets their tc's or if they test. They are a well known and respected company, and many of our local nurseries carry their stock. Most of my yard is landscaped with Monrovia plants. -Babka

Plant in late summer for fall harvest. Spring is always terrible, I never have luck with spring crops, I managed to get a few snow peas each year, before the burn of summer. This year wasn't too different, though it was slightly more productive. You may also want to try different variants. Komatsu, is a close relative, which I've had slightly better luck with.